The title of the new Sloan album isn't just some
random number. 12 is indeed the 12th album from these Canadian power-pop
perennials.This must mean it's as good
as Led Zeppelin IV, Black Sabbath's Vol. 4, and Chicagos 4 all put
together.Not only are Sloan the rare
band to make it to their 12th record, not only are they a rare band to make it
to their 12th record with all four original members, and not only are they the
rare band to make it to their 12th album with four original members who are
equally prolific songwriters, they're arguably the only band to make it to
their 12th album with four original members who are both equally prolific
songwriters and all still working at the top of their respective games,
sounding utterly ageless in the process.On 12, each of the four principals contribute three stellar songs that
play to their core strengths: Patrick Pentland with the soaring rock anthems,
Chris Murphy with the playful, participatory sing-alongs, Jay Ferguson with the
jaunty prog-pop gems, and Andrew Scott with the whimsical inner space
explorations. Says Chris Murphy, "I
guess with the album title, we are showing off the fact that we have 12
records."Without question Sloan is the most consistent and longest lasting
power pop band with its original line-up (27 years!) Its easy to take for
granted just how good Sloan is, as the melodies, harmonies and hooks always
deliver.Chris Murphys All of The
Voices has a simple melody line and sounds a little like a power pop version
of Nirvana. Right to Roam is a jangle-pop gem, thats more traditionally
Sloan-like. Patrick Pentlands The Day
Will Be Mine boasts those thick riffs and rising chords, as the chugging Essential
Services breaks things up with a 10cc styled piano and harmonies about the
relationship between themselves and the fans. More greatness is found on the
rocking Dont Stop (If It Feels Good Do It) and it keeps getting better with Have
Faith.The album has an epic slow
moving finish with 44 Teenagers. Like
most Sloan albums Ive reviewed, this hits my top ten list for 2018. Highly
Recommended (well, DUH).  Powerpopaholic.comThey just keep getting better in our opinion!GREAT!!

In
need of a creative rebirth after years on the music industry margins, John
Brodeur, the man behind Bird Streets (the name is derived from a tiny real estate
enclave in the Hollywood Hills), reached out to his fr
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Blakes
latest is his debut on the fast-growing Big Stir Records label roster. Yeah,
but what kind of music do you play? Blake Jones has been
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The Shapes That Shift UsPrice: $13.00Artist: Brad SenneDescription: When we first met Brad it was via his Beight project which we liked a whole bunch. This, his 2008 solo outing that, while a bit more quiet, and with its gorgeous, bare minimum accompaniement, perfectly fits our "Sunday Morning Pop" playlist with its Elliott Smith-like whispy-ness throughout! "Sometimes, it seems like a pie
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Star CafePrice: $18.00Artist: Cleaners From VenusDescription:This
DIY musical was written and produced by Martin Newell during 2017 in usual
sloppy lo-fi fashion on a 4-track Tascam Pocketstudio.Stand-alone CD version of what’s already being
hailed as “what
might just turn out
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Escaping From A SubmarinePrice: $10.00Artist: Hollow HorseDescription: On their third album fvrom 2008, this Glasgow band continue on their (very successful) mission to produce quality pop music with no compromises. Brimming with first-rate songwriting and musical accompaniment! Geordie guitar legend Paul Rose joined the band for a day of sessions and delivered the awesome guitar work on "So
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Five Year DiaryPrice: $10.00Artist: Hollow HorseDescription: Kudos to Raymond Weir of The Eisenhowers for steering Hollow Horse to us - and we are absolutely thrilled that he did! This is the little gem from 2002 that started it all! "Wouldn't all bands love to produce a first album like this one, every track well worth a play. 'Soft Place to Fall', 'Little Dove Hill' and the ... read more »

With influences ranging from Weezer to
Grandaddy, ELO, The Beach Boys and more - NYC/UK based rockers Luv Dot Gov have
been bringing their unique brand of indie rock to both sides of the pond sin
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Michael Slawter
holds a doctorate in the dialect of power pop, his songs are heavily influenced
by the masters that came before him, but at the same time he has created his
own unique style.read more »

Nick
Piunti began his musical journey as a 12 year old in his first band. He began
writing songs immediately and though thePapernut Cambridge are
one of those peculiar little bands, who carve a niche for themselves within
their field, then continue to release album after album of the most wond
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As
most probably know, Pete is a founding member of power pop mainstays The Figgs
and also spent time with Terry Adams legendary NRBQ. On Phases Of The
Moon, his many years of music explorat
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Richard
Turgeon’s music has been described as “California pop” and has been compared to
that of Matthew Sweet, Bob Mould, R.E.M., Guided by Voices, and Teenage
Fanclub, among others.&nbsp
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SlumberjetPrice: $13.00Artist: SlumberjetDescription: Slumberjet, a Dublin based pop trio led by Barry O'Brien, released this brilliant debut in 2010. His songwriting has been compared to the likes of The Beatles, Elvis Costello, XTC, and Elliott Smith. For the last several years Barry has made guest appearances with Pugwash - so you know his head and heart are certainl
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The Everything PillPrice: $11.00Artist: Spinning LucyDescription: A very impressive 2008 debut from this Philadelphia-based guitar and harmony-filled pop/rock group that successfully combines their individual influences from the ’70s such as Big Star and Cheap Trick abound as well as modern day pop rock influences such as Fountains of Wayne and Jimmy Eat World. Radio-friendly (in a good ... read more »

After
nearly a decade of toiling away at things DIY-style, The Great Affairs finally have
gone and signed with a label (Kivel Records) for the The long-awaited
follow-up to 2007's fantastic "Gallimaufry," “Torch Songs for
Swingers” is a continuation of the impeccable song craft and eclectic
instrumentation they’re known for, but with some unexpected twist
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Formed in Milan in 1979 and
active until 1983, The Mads became true underground legends on the Italian Mod
scene - the recordings of that era remained unreleased until last year, when
they were f
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ATTENTION FANS OF THE
PRISONERS!!On this, their third full length,
2018
is a milestone year for The Posies, who began their career exactly 30 years
prior by releasing a home-recorded cassette called "Failure.It became an instant favorite around the
Northwest, ea
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Released in 2013 as a download-only, the second
full-length studio album The Stan Laurels makes its CD debut on the Kool Kat
label, containing score and songs featured in the independent motion
picture “read more »

The 2009 debut full-length by John Lathrop as The
Stan Laurels. Being a full-blown concept album, it is a psychedelic
pop/rock/prog debut of epic proportions. The concept? Boy meets girl, boy gets
abducted by alien
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The Two Sided FacePrice: $14.00Artist: The SupahipDescription:"The
Two Sided Face" was 12 years in the making, and is the follow up to 2007's
"Seize The World". It sees
Sydney based men of the world Mark Moldre and Michael Carpenter continue to
dive into their in
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In this issue (and on the
cover), cool and colossal cover stories on West Coast psychedelic garage
monsters The Other Half (featuring future Blue Cheer guitarist Randy Holden), and
- dig this
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Celebrating the melodic drive of the Jayhawks, the
jangle of Big Star, and the dedication to structure and harmony of the Beach
Boys, William Duke continues his journey through psychedelic Americana on his
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